• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Paul McCartney amp EQ

lavmonga

lavmonga

Jul 27, 2007
2,059
514
New York, NY
www.ulyssescannon.com
#1
I put some flats on my P-bass the other day and I'm trying to get a Macca-esque sound. Any suggestions on how to EQ my amp and tone controls? I did a search and all I'm really finding is information on which maps Macca used and how he recorded. not much on how he eq'd his gear. Suggestions? (I'm not buying a Hofner or J bass - looking for the best I can do with a P)
 
  • Like
Reactions: nixdad
#2
Even if you found Macca’s amp settings I doubt they’d be applicable to your rig. Your talking recordings made between 40 and 50 years ago on the equipment of the time. Plus, I think the Hofner bass is an essential piece although he also used a Ric on some recordings so…..

I say, use your ears…
 
#3
My recommendation on EQ is always to start flat and then gradually cut certain frequencies as necessary for the gig/room. I believe that Sir Paul was recorded direct for the most part and that the sound coming out of his bass was his signature sound. It was very different from the typical P Bass sound; to roughly approximate it I recommend playing with a pick and using the palm mute technique and/or placing a foam pad under the strings at the bridge.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nixdad and Gearhead17
#4
McCartney sounds are different from time to time, song to song in his 50+ years music journey. I don't think an EQ setting (with P-Bass) can recreate them.

He almost never use Fender (much less a Precision) Bass.

One thing, I'm sure 99% he uses pick (I've seen him play with his thumb but I know that's rare).

But IMHO he's such a magical master bassist that can make a bass sound very good in his hand (his 'Beatles Bass' is not a really good instrument for other people, but in his hand it creates 'magic')...

I'm sorry that I can't be a help but that's my opinion.

The comment above to 'use your ears' may be the best answer. Good luck with the effort :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: nixdad
#5
dvh said:
Even if you found Macca’s amp settings I doubt they’d be applicable to your rig. Your talking recordings made between 40 and 50 years ago on the equipment of the time. Plus, I think the Hofner bass is an essential piece although he also used a Ric on some recordings so…..

I say, use your ears…
Click to expand...

I also agree with the Hofner bass being a essential piece of equipment to get the Macca sound, but since you're going the P-Bass route, I'd say boost the low mids and cut the highs just a little, mute the strings with some kind of damping material like foam, play with a pick, and study Paul's bass lines. His lines were simple and to the point in the early days of The Beatles, then began to pick up in complexity around the time of Rubber Soul and Revolver. Here's a YouTube video of Paul demonstrating some of his playing. It gives you a bit of an idea as to where he's at in his playing.

YouTube - ‪Paul McCartney teaches bass‬‏
 
#6
lavmonga said:
I put some flats on my P-bass the other day and I'm trying to get a Macca-esque sound. Any suggestions on how to EQ my amp and tone controls? I did a search and all I'm really finding is information on which maps Macca used and how he recorded. not much on how he eq'd his gear. Suggestions? (I'm not buying a Hofner or J bass - looking for the best I can do with a P)
Click to expand...

Just start with everything set for a flat-tone, and then progressively roll off the low-mids on your Mpulse600. I own/gig a couple of these and consider the low-mids to be the only weak point of the D-180/400/400+ series amps.
 
#8
He switched to a Ric 4001 around the time of Rubber Soul, and that's really the tone bassists go ga-ga over. Turn your tweeter off if you have one, play with a pick, use a little compression, develop a bouncy technique, play on the dusty end of the fingerboard, and use flats.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nixdad
#13
lavmonga said:
Suggestions?
Click to expand...
Without a Neve console and George Martin at the controls you won't get that tone. THEY'RE RECORDINGS. As for the 'live' sounds, the same applies, you're hearing whatever the engineers mixed it to sound like, not the raw tone from the amp.
As others have said, learn the notes and the technique, make the tone your own.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tommyc
#14
robgrow said:
The sound is from Paul, not the gear.
Click to expand...

So true.

Didn't Chris Squire essentially play the same instrument? TOTALLY different sound - I know, but with roundwounds, compared to McCartney using "long, shiny ones". :D

One needs to think about the recording chain used. Emmerick denies ever using a DI and only a mic placed several feet away in Big ol' Number 2. But the other engineers swear that a DI was used. Ahh, then rest of it all - mics, compressors, console, tubes, tubes, tubes...

No. 2:

Invalid Link Removed
 
#15
McCartney gets the same tone with many different basses.

547.jpg


SMG_Paul_McCartney_Fender_Jazz.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: nixdad
#16
McCartney gets a nice round fat bass tone. Sometimes. What era or recording do you want to emulate?

For my 50s band, I play a Hofner Icon with flats. I have the volume UP on the bass, and the tone knob DOWN at LEAST half way, even more, but NEVER all the way off. I play the neck pick up ONLY.

On my amp, I turn the mids OFF, and let the guitar do that. I have about 25% treble for definition, and bass at LEAST at 50%, or even 75%.

But that's just me. It works great for what I do.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back